Joshua Porter Bowman came into this world, helping to heal his momma’s broken heart on February 25th, 1991 in St. George, Utah to James and Elaine Bowman. At 30 years of age, his giant, strong, golden, giving, heart stopped beating on December 7th, 2021 from a tragic car accident.
 Porter came to us with that big smile and the twinkling, mischievous eyes. If you crossed his path, you were a recipient of that smile. If you weren’t wearing a smile when you met him, you would be, when you left. It was so contagious! He was always a joy to be around. The fun one. He was a light and a leader before he even recognized it.
 He attended school in Kanab and graduated with the class of 2009. He found a passion in wrestling that was life long. Long after graduation, he loved to come help and work out with the team whenever he could. 
 He spent one year living and working in Laie, Hawaii with his cousin Bo. He loved learning about Hawaiian history and traditions and learning to surf. A year well spent.
 Porter was an adventurer. He explored every canyon, rock and hill he could. He loved camping, hiking, and hunting. He sought inspiration and spirituality in nature.
 Porter cared about his physical and mental health. He had a love and commitment to boxing, where he had a special talent. He spent much time committed to improving and practicing his boxing skills. 
 Porter had a work ethic that was unparalleled. As a youth, he started working at the age of 12. If you needed a job done, Porter was your man. He worked different jobs acquiring many different skills and strengths in mechanics, machinery operation, construction, fiber optic installation, electrical knowledge and plumbing, to name a few. He had such a love of learning about many different things. He was always trying to learn and improve himself. He was currently working as a Youth Coach at Recreation Retreat in Fredonia, AZ, where he was very effective and loved what he did.
 Porter had a way with people. He made sure every person he came across knew they were loved and felt important. He took time to really listen. He was genuinely interested in you. He could connect with anyone, and he never met a stranger. He was always willing to serve others. If he knew you needed something, he would be there. He cared about the well being of others, even putting others needs before his own. He had so much compassion, and empathy for others.
 Porter was an American Patriot. He loved his country and wanted to help make it a better place. He was prepared to defend it if he needed to. 
 Porter’s intense love for his family was always shown. He wanted to meet and learn of his ancestors. He was close to Aunts and Uncles he loved so much, and had special relationships with many of his cousins. If you have a female cousin, make sure you take them on a “cousin date”.
 Porter was the glue between his band of brothers. As a middle brother he helped them connect, grow, challenge themselves, and have fun together. The Band of Bowman Brothers will not be broken. And if didn’t know, it was always “A Bowman Thing”.
 Porter had a fierce love for his nieces and nephews. He always said he would be the Uncle that would teach them all the good stuff… and the bad. He made sure they had a great wrestling stance, and to protect their face when boxing. The little ones always got to walk on the ceiling and thrown over his shoulder and tumbled about. EVERYONE should have an Uncle Porter.
 How do you sum up a wonderful life well lived, in a couple of columns in the paper? He will never be forgotten. He will always be missed. Porter is our beloved Warrior. It’s just see ‘ya later, ‘til we meet you on the other side.
 Porter leaves behind his mother and father, James and Elaine Jackson Bowman of Kanab; his brothers Jed (Amber) of Kanab, Daniel (Madison) of Rock Springs, WY, and Nate (Amanda) of Rexburg, ID; his sister Mellissa (Charles) Sheya, of Kearns, UT; his sweetheart, Kim Swapp and her daughter Kenna and son Brecken; his forever buddies and playmates, Griffen and Maddex Bone, Ledger, Hudson and Violette Bowman, Emris Sheya, Caladin and Scout Bowman, and little Baby Boy Bowman that he is teaching wrestling moves to now, as he waits to bring him to his parents Nate and Amanda in February; paternal grandparents John and Lovina Bowman of Buda, TX; and maternal grandparents Robert and Cleo Jackson Crowther, of Sanford, CO.  
 There to greet him on the other side was his older sister Sarah Jane Bowman; his grandfather George Boyd Jackson; aunts Sue Bowman DeWitt and Susan Jackson Freeze; his nephew Perrin Sheya; and niece Eowyn Sheya.
 If you would like to honor Porter, talk to a stranger, give freely of your smile and kindness, help someone in need, be a friend where one is needed and pay it forward.
 Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Kanab Utah Stake Center, corner of Main and Center Streets in Kanab.  There will be visitation from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday evening and 9:30-10:45 AM Saturday morning both at the Stake Center.  Burial will be in the Kanab Cemetery under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.


A link to the video recording of the funeral is below.
Feel free to download it.

https://vimeo.com/658162900